Puzzle Pieces: Quentin

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Hallows Eve"><U><B>All Hallows' Eve</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall Camoflage"><U><B>Fall Camoflage</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Cyrus"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Cyrus</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Roxanne"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Roxanne</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Claude"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Claude</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas Magick"><U><B>Christmas Magick</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Maggie"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Maggie</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id94.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winters Deep Freeze"><U><B>Winter's Deep Freeze</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Sabrina"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Sabrina</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frostbite"><U><B>Frostbite</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: The Collins Family"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  The Collins Family</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biding Time in Purgatory"><U><B>Biding Time in Purgatory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Quentin</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U><B>Family Secrets</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vortex"><U><B>Vortex</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Whirlwind"><U><B>Spring Whirlwind</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Den of Vipers"><U><B>Den of Vipers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Angelique"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Angelique</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Converging Forces"><U><B>Converging Forces</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flames of Purification"><U><B>Flames of Purification</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U><B>Adam in Parallel Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Puzzle Pieces:  Quentin</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Sometime in the morning hours, Quentin felt Maggie's warm sweet breath blowing in his ear.  He could feel goosebumps popping out along his arms as he woke up with a grin.  He turned, rolling onto her, pleased by how well they fit together already.  "Good morning, sleepy-head," Maggie was teasing.  "You haven't forgotten we have a train to catch?"</div> <div> "No, you have only yourself to blame wearing me out again like you did."</div> <div> "Wearing you out?  I don't believe it-you're always ready!"  Maggie looked very soft and sensuous, fulfilled, yes, but already her eyes were beginning to fill with a smoldering look of desire.</div> <div> "So are you," he answered, obligingly outlining her lips and then kissing her.  He allowed his hands to move over her body, feeling her open herself to him. He became immediately fully erect, aroused by the fact that she wanted him still and didn't seem to tire of him as Angelique had.  Even in the beginning when they were infatuated with each other, Angelique had never allowed him to make love to her once and sometimes twice a day or more.  There was a Simon and Garfunkel song that was unromantic but reminded him of Maggie.  It was called "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and he believed that Maggie was his "bridge" over the "troubled water" of his life.  He almost told Maggie about it but stopped himself.  He thought it would sound silly, mainly because the song's lyrics were about the guy being there for the woman and not the other way around.  Instead, he said, "Feel this?  I want you, too, right now."  He slid into her easily.  </div> <div> No one had ever made him feel like Maggie did.  They moved together in a natural harmonious rhythm he'd never had with Angelique.  There were two others he'd been with other than his first wife and Maggie.  One was the first girl he'd ever had sex with, and both of them had been very young and inexperienced-they didn't really know what they were doing.  All he knew was that he wanted to do it all the time because it felt so good. The other was the woman he'd been with during his marriage to Angelique-he sought her out mostly for comfort.  She'd taught him to be gentle and patient, how to bring her pleasure as she sought to please him.  Still, there hadn't been the connection he felt now with Maggie.  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Maggie was his and had never belonged to anyone else.</div> <div> He'd learned that the red blush now spreading across Maggie's breasts and cheeks signaled that she was about to climax and that he could let go and join her.  Sure enough, within moments, their passionate cries mingled together, as they rocked wildly together.  They lay together, limbs all tangled up together, for a few moments before he kissed her and rolled onto his back.  Over these last six weeks, he learned that Maggie was a cuddler too.  He was relieved and secretly grateful.  Maggie moved over to rest her head on his shoulder, her free hand stroking his chest or his face.  It felt good.  Angelique had always abruptly gotten up and left his bed to go to her room, leaving him feeling lonely and used. He grabbed Maggie's hand and kissed her fingers gently.   "You are absolutely insatiable," he teased her gently.</div> <div> "Am I wearing you out too much?" she asked lightly, but he could hear a hint of worry in her voice.</div> <div> He chuckled.  "Wear me out.  I love it, Maggie.  I love <I>you.</I>"</div> <div> "I love you too," she answered, always with a fierce protective tone.</div> <div> He closed his eyes contentedly.  He'd never been happier-not since he was a little boy living in his Aunt Nancy's house in south Boston.  It really probably had been that long.  He remembered the night of their wedding, glad now that he had waited.  It was hard not to act on their desires--they both wanted each other so much. This special gift they gave each other that night made all the impatient waiting worth it.  </div> <div> By the time they got back to the hotel after the reception, he wanted her so badly he wasn't sure he could control himself.  She wanted him to help her with the little eyehook buttons on the back of her wedding gown.  It was a beautiful gown, cut low in the front, and as he struggled with the little loops he was strongly tempted to just rip it off her.  His face became flushed with effort.  Finally, he'd managed to get the last button unfastened, and she slowly let the beautiful garment fall away from her body, stepping out of it, and laying it carefully on the chair.  Then she turned to him, her eyes glowing with passion.  She was beautiful, and she loved him.</div> <div> That night and the six weeks that followed was a short vacation in paradise, an interlude from the purgatory his life had become.  They lay down on the bed together; she took his hand and placed it on her bare breast.  "I don't want to hurt you," he whispered to her, almost frantic with his desire.</div> <div> "I have an idea then," Maggie answered sweetly.  "Lie back."   She pulled his zipper down; tugging at his pants with hands that trembled.  He helped her, wondering what she was up to.  "Don't laugh at me," she said softly.  It never would have occurred to him to do that and especially not when he realized what she was up to.  Angelique had absolutely refused to do anything like this; his other lover had but hadn't particularly enjoyed it.  Maggie, though, moved very slowly.  She looked as if she was enjoying herself very much and it excited him to watch her-he was sorry he wasn't able to last very long because it felt so good.</div> <div> When he was able to speak coherently, he held her closely and asked, "Why the hell would you think I'd laugh at you?"</div> <div> "I didn't know what I was doing," Maggie admitted shyly.</div> <div> He was amazed.  "It's never felt that good, though!"</div> <div> "Well, I did practice-you'll laugh now, I know you will."  She was turning bright pink.  He looked at her curiously but didn't say anything.  "Jennifer told me about it, but I didn't know how.   So she told me to, um, well, practice, and I practiced with a-a-cucumber!"  He didn't have to worry about hurting her feelings because she started to giggle just a moment before he burst out laughing.  They laughed so hard, tears ran down their faces.  </div> <div> He stopped laughing first, looking at her tenderly, touched by what she had done.  A cucumber, for God's sake!  "I love you, Maggie," he said, caressing her face.</div> <div>      "Show me," she said, pulling him onto her.  This time, they were able to move slowly and take time to explore each other.  By the time they came together, they were almost moving as one.  If he hurt her at all, she didn't let him know.  He only heard cries of passion.  "Quentin," she whispered now, rousing him from his pleasant reverie.  "You wanted to call Daniel?"</div> <div>      "Yes, I sure did," he answered, opening his eyes at once.  She'd turned and picked up the phone, handing it to him.  She slid out of the bed, and he watched her move toward the bathroom with an appreciative eye for her lithe beauty.  He quickly dialed the number to his Aunt Nancy's.</div> <div>      She answered on the fourth ring, her voice clear and crisp.  He could see her in his mind, her silver hair carefully coifed from her every-Saturday-morning appointment.  She was tall and thin-he'd gotten his height and build from his mother's side of the family.  Aunt Nancy's posture was perfect-and only he knew now that it was from the back brace she'd worn for years now.  He loved her now as much as he'd loved his mother.  "Guess who it is," he said, teasing her.</div> <div>      "Oh, Quentin," she answered, her voice going up with delight.  "Welcome back.  How are you?  And how is dear Maggie?"</div> <div>      "Sated-for the moment.  Me too."  He paused, listening to her laugh.  He smiled.</div> <div>      "Wicked, wicked man!" she chided kiddingly.  </div> <div>      "I know, and enjoying every minute of it."  They both laughed.  "Is Daniel up?"</div> <div>      There was a startled pause.  Almost instantly, he could feel his temper rising, sure that someone in the family had interfered with his wishes again.  "Daniel went home-to Collinwood," she said finally.</div> <div>      "Why?" He barked angrily.  "Did he ask to go?"</div> <div>      "Not at first.  It wasn't until Elizabeth and Chris came-"</div> <div>      "Why?" He interrupted.  "What did they want?"</div> <div>      His aunt sounded very troubled.  "Quentin, didn't you write to Elizabeth?  Oh dear-you didn't, did you?"</div> <div>      "She said I did?"</div> <div>      "She said that Hoffman brought her a letter from you-that you were returning soon, and that you were coming to Collinwood and would see Daniel there.  That's why I was surprised to hear from you-"</div> <div>      "Son of a bitch!" he shouted.</div> <div>      Maggie opened the door and came out, wrapped in a towel, still dripping.  She stared at Quentin, wide-eyed.  "What's wrong?"</div> <div>      "Nothing!" he snapped abruptly.  "Finish your shower!"</div> <div>      "Quentin!" Nancy's voice was very stern.  "Calm down this instant.  Don't speak to Maggie that way-she didn't do anything to deserve that."</div> <div>      Quentin could see the hurt in Maggie's eyes as his aunt scolded him.  He was ashamed of himself.  "I'm sorry," he said to Maggie.  "Everything's all right-I'll tell you about it when you're done with your shower." Maggie's expression cleared a little.  She went back into the bathroom.  Now Quentin spoke to his aunt.  "I didn't mean to yell like that."</div> <div>      "Well, you're upset-I can understand that, honey.  However, please remember who you should be shouting at.  It's not me, and it's not Maggie, either."</div> <div>      "Yes, ma'am, you're right, and I'm sorry.  Elizabeth said Hoffman gave her a letter from me?"  Now he wanted to get all the facts straight.  Damn Hoffman!  He was going to fire her for this-he had no idea why he hadn't gotten rid of her before now.  She was Angelique's servant; her friend-maybe even her lover.</div> <div>      "That's what she said.  Chris brought his little sister with him, you know.  She was the one who convinced Daniel to go back.  He didn't seem to want to go-" Nancy stopped there, waiting for Quentin to ask why.</div> <div>      He didn't.  He knew why.  Daniel didn't want to see Maggie; he knew that.  "When did they go?"</div> <div>      "Just the day before yesterday.  So-will you go to Collinwood, then?"</div> <div>      "No, not yet.  I was going to Long Island today.  We're going to see Maggie's sister first.  Then I'm coming there-just like we planned."</div> <div>      "But Daniel-"</div> <div>      "I'll see Daniel when we get to Collinwood," Quentin interrupted impatiently.</div> <div>      "Quentin-" Aunt Nancy began, a hint of disapproval in her tone.</div> <div>      "I'm going to call him, Aunt Nancy," Quentin interrupted again, this time more gently.  "I'll call him as soon as I get off the phone with you.  I just don't want to go back there without seeing you first."</div> <div>      "Oh, honey, you know you can come and see me anytime you want.  Maybe it would be better if you go and see Daniel first," Nancy objected.</div> <div>      "No," Quentin answered stubbornly.  He couldn't explain his need to see her first before returning there-to that place which was his but not home.   He was sure she would understand if he told her that he drew as much strength and love from her as possible before returning to that barren house called Collinwood.  The trouble was that he had kept his feelings secret and hidden for so long, it was very hard for him to talk to even the people he loved about them.</div> <div>      "All right."  His aunt's voice still had a hint of disapproval in it, but she wasn't going to argue any further.  "Why don't you call Daniel then, dear, and when you're ready to visit, why, just come on up."</div> <div>      "Thanks," he said, relieved.</div> <div>      "I love you, honey," she said.</div> <div>      "I love you too," he repeated automatically.  Someday, he thought, I am going to tell her how much she means to me.  The shower was still going, and he decided to take his aunt's advice and call Daniel.  While he was at it, he was going to fire that damn Hoffman.  Trask answered the phone, and Quentin asked for Daniel first.</div> <div>      "Welcome back, Mr. Collins," Trask said gloomily.  "I'm sorry, sir, but Master Daniel has gone out with Amy and the Loomises."</div> <div>      "Oh, hell!" Quentin exclaimed.  "Who's driving?"</div> <div>      "Mr. Loomis hasn't begun drinking yet," Trask answered.</div> <div>      Quentin sighed.  He knew he could trust Carolyn to get the keys away from Will if she needed to.  "Let me speak to Hoffman then, please."</div> <div>      "Hoffman?"  Trask sounded surprised.  "Not Mrs. Stoddard?"</div> <div>      "<I>No</I>, Trask, I said Hoffman!"</div> <div>      "Yes, sir-hold on, sir."  He heard the phone being set down on the table.</div> <div>      After a moment, he heard the phone being picked up.  He was ready to begin yelling again but realized he was hearing his cousin Elizabeth's voice.  She sounded sugary sweet.  "Quentin, dear, how are you?"</div> <div>      He considered giving her the same answer he'd given his aunt.  That would give her a few new gray hairs, he thought, grinning bitterly.  "I'm just fine, Liz, very happy," he answered politely.  Her hypocrisy hurt him.  He knew what she said about him behind his back, and he really had wanted to like her.  She gave the impression of being a kind and loving woman, much like his Aunt Nancy.  "How are you?"</div> <div>      "Well, we're all looking forward to your return," she replied, just as sweetly, evading his question.  "When will that be?"</div> <div>      "Another week maybe.  Is Hoffman there?"</div> <div>      Elizabeth sounded surprised.  "Why, yes-as a matter of fact, here she is.  You'd like to speak to her?"</div> <div>      "Please."</div> <div>      The phone exchanged hands and now he did explode.  "Hoffman, what do you mean lying to Elizabeth and having her go down to Boston to pick up Daniel?  What the hell are you playing at?"</div> <div>      "I'm sorry, Mr. Collins," Hoffman apologized, sounding shocked.  "I don't understand.  Why are you shouting at me?"</div> <div>      "Why did you lie to Elizabeth about a letter from me?"</div> <div>      "Lie?  I didn't lie, Mr. Collins-"</div> <div>      "I did NOT write to Elizabeth and tell her to pick up Daniel from Boston!"</div> <div>      "I don't know what was in the letter, Mr. Collins," Hoffman protested. "I only brought it to her."</div> <div>      "You brought it to her?  A letter from me?"</div> <div>      "Yes, sir."</div> <div>      Quentin stopped, confused.  He hadn't written to Elizabeth at all, and he certainly would never have suggested that she bring Daniel back to Collinwood before he got back.  Elizabeth's voice was back in his ear:  "Quentin, dear, what is wrong?  Hoffman is dreadfully pale!"</div> <div>      "Put her back on the phone!" he snapped.  He heard Liz gasp and then there was silence for a moment.</div> <div>      "Mr. Collins?"  It was Hoffman again, sounding very nervous.</div> <div>      "I don't understand this-I did NOT write to Elizabeth at all.  I want to see that letter when I get there."</div> <div>      "But, Mr. Collins, I'm not sure where-"</div> <div>      "FIND it!"</div> <div>      "Yes, sir, I will."</div> <div>      "And put Mrs. Stoddard back on the phone."</div> <div>      "Yes, Quentin?"  Elizabeth's voice sounded carefully controlled.  She must be seething.  Good.</div> <div>      "Listen, Liz, would you do me a favor and tell Daniel that I called?  That I'll call him later?"</div> <div>      "Of course, dear."  He grimaced at her use of the endearment with him.  "When shall I tell him to expect your call?"</div> <div>      "I'm not sure-we're going to Long Island.  I'll just call later."</div> <div>      "That's fine, dear.  I'll make sure he doesn't go anywhere when he returns."</div> <div>      Quentin was about to retort that he didn't want Daniel kept a prisoner in the house but changed his mind.  He really did want to talk to the boy.  He'd missed him.  "Thanks-I'll call again soon." He hung up abruptly and went to the window, looking out.  He didn't see the street below with people scurrying to and fro.  He was seeing something altogether different, thinking that Daniel was ensnared in pretty much the same way he'd been.  It hadn't started out like that, though.</div> <div>      Quentin could still remember the house they all shared in south Boston.  He, his mother, and his brother Gabriel were crowded into the little house with Aunt Nancy, Uncle Frank, and his cousins.  It was crowded and it was noisy, but there was a lot of love there-even when Aunt Nancy and Uncle Frank fought about his daily drinking, there was still a lot of love left over.  He shared a bedroom with Gabriel and his cousin Franky, who was his brother's age.  His three other cousins were all girls-Mary, Betty, and Patsy.  They were all older than he was, too, and so he always tagged along after Gabriel and Franky.</div> <div>      There was no competition between himself and Gabriel.  His brother was almost eight years older and Quentin worshipped him.  Gabriel never complained about the little tag-a-long, even when Franky whined and objected to having a little boy accompany them almost everywhere.  Gabriel taught him how to ice-skate, roller-skate, ride a bike, play baseball, and hockey.  One of Quentin's earliest memories was of skillfully skating down the street after his brother and cousin and the other boys, when he was barely four years old.  Most of the other boys in the neighborhood were around Gabriel and Franky's ages, but they all tolerated Quentin.  Eventually, because Gabriel was such a likeable athlete, Quentin became a sort of mascot for the boys when they challenged other neighborhood boys at some game.</div> <div>      A stranger came to the house not long after his seventh birthday.  All the children were turned out of the house.  It was a fine fall day, and the boys decided on a game of touch football in the backyard.  It wasn't long before they were attracted by the sounds of shouting from within the house.  "That's Ma!" Gabriel exclaimed, running toward the house.</div> <div>      "This is a fine how-do-you-do!" Their mother was shouting angrily, her speech sounding just a little slurred from her wee nip.  She was a beautiful woman, especially when she was angry.  Then her cheekbones were bright red and her eyes flashed.  Other times, she seemed to droop with a sad kind of weariness.   "That horrid old man did absolutely nothing for me or my kids except show me the door.  And now you're telling me he wants my boy?  Well, he can kiss my ass!  My son is NOT for sale!"</div> <div>      "You have your nerve," Nancy added, her voice quivering with rage.  "How dare you insult my sister with such a proposition?"</div> <div>      "I assure you, madam-" The man began.</div> <div>      "She ain't no madam, neither!" Uncle Frank shouted wildly, shaking his fist in the stranger's face.  He was drunk, no question about that.</div> <div>      "I'm sorry-I didn't mean it that way!" the man exclaimed, turning bright pink.  He was still sitting at the dining room table with Aunt Nancy.  Uncle Frank and Quentin's mother were on their feet, red with rage.  </div> <div> Gabriel pulled the back door open and ran into the house.  He was almost fifteen, as tall as a man already and broad shouldered.  "What's going on, Ma?" he asked, as the other boys piled in behind him.  "You need help here?"</div> <div> "Not with the likes of<I> him!</I>" Helen Kiernan said with frosty contempt.</div> <div> The man was looking beyond Gabriel, directly into Quentin's eyes. He said softly, "Mrs. Kiernan, that's the boy?"</div> <div> Now all the adults were looking at him.  Intimidated, Quentin moved behind Gabriel, who reached around and put a reassuring arm around him.  "What does he want with Quentin?" his brother demanded.</div> <div> "Quentin, come here, please, dear," his mother answered in an odd voice, shaking her head at Gabriel.</div> <div> Quentin could feel Gabriel urging him to come around, and he walked slowly toward his mother.  Everyone was looking at him now, and he didn't like it a bit.  He wasn't going to show them that he was scared, though.  Gabriel told him the best way to win a fight was to bluff the other guy into thinking you were strong and brave.  He took his mother's hand, looked up at her, and then looked directly at the man.  He didn't seem so frightening-just a sandy-haired man in a gray suit.  "Quentin, honey, say hello to your Cousin David Collins."</div> <div> "Hello," Quentin said obediently and reached out to shake hands with the man sitting at the table.  He looked back up at his mother.  "Where does he live?  I haven't met him before, have I?"</div> <div> "No, honey.  He lives in Collinsport, Maine," his mother explained.  Quentin heard Gabriel's sharp intake of breath.  "This man is your daddy's cousin."</div> <div> Once Quentin had been playing street hockey and he'd tripped over a brick in the road, falling flat on his face and stomach.  He hadn't been hurt, but all the wind had been knocked out of him.  He'd been stunned, unable to breathe.  He felt that way now.  He didn't know very much about his daddy, just that he was a soldier and that he was dead.   There was a small picture of his daddy in a framed picture on his mother's dresser-a young man in a uniform, smiling shyly for the camera.  His mother said he looked a little like his father; other people told him that he and his brother looked like their mother.  Now he looked curiously at this man, who looked nothing like the man in the picture.</div> <div> The man was smiling at him.  "Hello, Quentin.  You're a very polite young man, did you know that?"</div> <div> "That's his mother's doing," Uncle Frank said harshly.  "The same woman Jamison Collins run out of town on a rail."</div> <div> The cousin looked uncomfortable.  "He deeply regrets that-"</div> <div> "Deeply regrets it, does he?" Ma's voice was harsh, too, and she laughed bitterly.</div> <div> "Just what has happened in your family to cause this sudden interest in Quentin?" Nancy asked, fixing Cousin David with a steely glare that normally withered anyone unlucky enough to be caught in it.  Cousin David did, indeed, begin to wilt visibly.</div> <div> Tugging at his collar uncomfortably, he cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps we should talk some more another time, when everyone is a little less emotional-and preferably not in front of the boy."</div> <div> "Why not?"  This time it was Gabriel who spoke, arrogantly, crossing his arms on his chest.  "It's got to do with him, hasn't it?"</div> <div> "Yes, well," Cousin David agreed in a low voice, his face turning redder.</div> <div> "There is one thing that I do agree with," Nancy began, "and that is, we cannot turn this into a circus.  We have family business to discuss, Gabriel, and I'm asking you if you'll excuse your friends and walk them to the door.  You are free to join us, if you like, but this is for family ears alone."</div> <div> "Sure, Aunt Nancy," Gabriel said readily, turning to his friends.  Quentin could tell that they were clearly disappointed and wanted to stay, but they allowed themselves to be herded out the door.</div> <div> Cousin David said, "Please, Mrs. Kiernan-can we start again?  Would you sit please, so that we can talk?"</div> <div> "I will sit but not because I am a servant for you to order about, Mr. Collins," Quentin's mother said proudly.  She sat down at the table, drawing Quentin to her.  He leaned up against her, still watching this new cousin and wondering what was going on.  Gabriel returned and sat down at the table, too.  Uncle Frank remained standing, pouring himself another shot of whiskey.  "Now, then, Mr. Collins, my sister asked you a question.  I'm curious too-why is Jamison Collins interested in my boy all of a sudden?"</div> <div> Cousin David cleared his throat uncomfortably again.  Finally he said, "Mr. Collins is getting older.  He knows that.  He regrets his actions of the past.  The boy is family.  He wants to reach out, make amends.  He wants to help with the boy's upbringing, pay for his education."</div> <div> "Why now?"  Nancy demanded.  "There has to be a reason.  When Helen was going to bear the child, he could've offered to help her then.  He didn't.  He just about gave her the back of his hand."</div> <div> "I remember," Gabriel put in resentfully.  "He said dirty things about my mother, Mr. Collins.  I never forgot that."</div> <div> Disturbed, Quentin looked at his brother.  His brother's blue eyes were as steely and as cold as Aunt Nancy's was.  Quentin had been prepared to like and accept this cousin, but now he looked at the man suspiciously.  Someone else in this new family had called his mother names…</div> <div> "I'm sorry about that," David Collins answered.  "He regrets it.  He's sorry, too.  If you would just read the letter again-"</div> <div> "I read it enough to understand it," Helen Kiernan interrupted, her own blue eyes flashing with resentful anger.  "He wants to take my son from me-well, you can tell that nasty, selfish old man that I won't give him up.  Not for all the tea in China or all the gold in Fort Knox-or all the fish in that damn cannery of his!  I will not send my boy to Collinwood!"</div> <div> Again, Quentin felt the way he had when he'd fallen in the street.  He moved a little closer to his mother, glaring at the new cousin at the same time.  Did this man want to take him away from his mother and brother?  Never!  The man was getting up.  "All right, I can see that we're not getting anywhere this way.  I'll be in touch, Mrs. Kiernan."  He looked at Quentin directly and smiled in spite of the boy's angry glare.  "You're a fine young man, son."</div> <div> "Ah, out with you and take your bullshit, too!" Uncle Frank snapped, setting the shot glass down with a loud sound.  He practically hustled David Collins out the front door.  </div> <div> Quentin's mother burst into tears.  "Ma, what's wrong?" Quentin asked, distressed.  His mother grabbed him, pulling her to him and squeezing him so hard he did become breathless.  Nancy had gotten up and moved to her sister, hugging her from behind.  Quentin was sure he was going to smother.</div> <div> "Ssh, don't, Helen, it'll be all right," Nancy soothed.</div> <div> "Oh, God, oh God!  How I miss him still!" Helen sobbed.</div> <div> Gabriel got up and gently extricated his brother.  He kissed his mother gently on the cheek.  "C'mon, Buddy, let's go," he said.  That was the special name he called Quentin-"Buddy."  Gabriel had built a spacious treehouse outback, and the boys retreated there to talk.  The treehouse was furnished with wooden crates to sit on.  There were rolled up sleeping bags in the corner for the nights when the boys wanted to sleep outside.  Another crate held magazines, marbles, and other small games the boys could play.  Gabriel sat on a crate and rocked back, leaning against one of the rough walls of the house.</div> <div> "Did you know that man, Gabe?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "I didn't remember him at first," Gabriel replied, moodily pulling out his Boy Scout knife.  He pulled opened the blade, found the piece of wood he'd been working on and began whittling.  "Ma and I left when I was your age."</div> <div> "You lived there?"</div> <div> "In a big house-bigger than you've ever seen in your life, Buddy.  Bigger than the houses up on Beacon Hill."</div> <div> "Wow!"  Quentin was impressed.  "Why did we leave?"</div> <div> "Because your daddy died," Gabriel answered.  He seemed angry.</div> <div> "But why?"</div> <div> Gabriel worked on his block of wood for a few minutes without speaking.  Quentin knew that he was thinking of a way to tell the story so that he would understand it.  Gabriel never lied to him.  Sometimes, he explained, he had to think of how to explain things to a little boy.  Quentin waited patiently.  "We have different dads, Quentin, and your last name really isn't Kiernan. My dad was Tim Kiernan.  He worked at the cannery in Collinsport when he was married to our ma.  We used to live in a little house in the town.  There was an accident at the cannery, and my dad died.  And Ma, she didn't have any money.  She had me and her to take care of, you see?  And so she went to work at Collinwood, for Mr. Jamison Collins and his family."</div> <div> "Who is he?"</div> <div> "He's the head of the family-he runs all the businesses and he owns all the family property.  I guess they're just about the richest family in Maine.  Kinda like the Kennedys, but not as nice."  Gabriel whittled a little more.  "After we were there a couple of years, your daddy started to like our ma."</div> <div> "Tell me about my daddy, Gabe."  Much of what Quentin had learned about his father had come from Gabriel.  Quentin knew that Gabriel was going to tell him some things he didn't know before.</div> <div> "Your daddy was a really nice man, Buddy," Gabriel began.  This wasn't new.  "He was really nice to our ma.  He talked really sweet to her and he brought her pretty things.  He was nice to me, too.  He took me sailing a couple of times.  He played ball with me.  Most of the other grownups-they just ignored me, you know?  And they treated ma-well, she was a servant.  They weren't so nice to her.  But your daddy was.  He wanted to marry our ma.  I remember him asking me, did I mind if he would be my dad?  And I said no, I didn't.  I liked him a lot."</div> <div> That part was new.  "They weren't married?"  Quentin was shocked.</div> <div> Gabriel looked at his brother compassion and not a little pity.  "They were supposed to.  Your daddy and his daddy-your grandpa-and this Jamison Collins, well, they had a really big argument.  And your daddy left.  Before he left, he came to see ma and me.  He said he was going into the service.  He wanted to get married then, but they were sending him right away-he had to go, now.  But he said the first leave he got, he would come back and marry her."</div> <div> "But he didn't?"  Quentin was dismayed.</div> <div> "He couldn't.  He got shot-you know that, Buddy."</div> <div> Quentin did.  He knew how his father died, a hero.  "But if daddy and ma weren't married, how did I get here?"</div> <div> "Well," Gabriel began and stopped.  He had to think again.  </div> <div> This time, Quentin chafed impatiently.   "Gabe?  Don't mommies and daddies have to be married to have babies?  Isn't that so?"</div> <div> "No," Gabriel finally answered after an interminable length of time.  He was obviously struggling for the right words.  "Listen, Quentin, your daddy and our ma really really loved each other.  A man and a woman, they do a special something together when they love each other like that.  And sometimes that something makes a baby.  That's why most of the time a man and a woman, they get married first."</div> <div> "But Ma and my daddy didn't wait?" Quentin whispered.  He'd heard some talk from other kids about people doing sinful things together.  He knew that it wasn't right for a woman to have a baby without being married.  Now he felt frightened as well as confused.  "Gabe, was it a sin?"</div> <div> "A sin?" Gabriel bolted upright.  He grabbed Quentin fiercely, pulling him to him.  "You listen to me, ma having you was no sin.  Don't you never listen to what anyone says about that, you hear me?  It was just like Ma and your daddy was really married, you understand?  Ma and your dad didn't even know about it when he left, or he woulda married her before he left.  I know it's so, Quentin, so it wasn't a sin-don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise!"</div> <div> His intensity calmed Quentin's fears somewhat.  He felt comforted by Gabriel's words-it was like they were really married.  They would have-only he got killed, Quentin said to himself.  "All right, Gabe," Quentin said.  Now his brother hugged him fiercely.  Quentin hugged him back, feeling safe and secure in his brother's arms.</div> <bR> <div> "Quentin?" Quentin started.  He'd forgotten where he was.  He swung around, looking at Maggie blankly, feeling disoriented.  She was drying her hair with a towel, stark naked, looking at him with a curious expression on her face.  "Are you all right?  You've been staring out that window so long-is there a parade or something?"</div> <div> "Uh-no," he answered, bringing himself back to the present abruptly.</div> <div> "Is something wrong?"</div> <div> "No, no."  What could he tell her?  That he worried about Daniel now that he knew the boy was not with Aunt Nancy anymore?  That he'd been moved from the loving embrace of his real family into the cold grip of the Collins' family?  He tried to push all of the memories and the recent phone conversations from his mind.  Looking at Maggie, it was easy to forget.  She was so pretty, so sweet yet sensual.  He moved closer to her, cupping her breasts in his hands.  </div> <div> "Quentin-" Maggie smiled, enjoying his touch.  "We do have to catch that train."</div> <div> "I know, my love, but you keep tempting me, you see-" He leaned down to kiss her on the mouth.  "Mmm," he murmured through the kiss.  "So sweet."  There was the train, though, and so he stopped.  "Better get dressed," he advised, smiling.   "Are we all packed?"</div> <div> "Everything but what I'm going to wear on the train."</div> <div> "All right, then.  There's always later."  He kissed her lightly.  "And later again."  He stepped back and sat down on the bed to watch her dress.  That was something he enjoyed doing-watching her get dressed.  He also liked to watch her brush her hair.  It was long and silky.  She would brush her hair with long sensuous strokes, watching herself in the mirror.  He supposed he would tire of it eventually, but it was a novelty now.  He just enjoyed being with her.</div> <div> "It'll be good to see Jenny again," Maggie was saying.  "Adam, too, of course, but I'm dying to see Jimmy.  He's probably grown a lot in just these past six weeks."  Her brow creased a little.</div> <div> Quentin noticed.  "What's wrong?"</div> <div> "I don't know."  Maggie laughed.   "I'm probably just imagining things."  She was drying her hair now with the hair dryer, fluffing it with her other hand.  Quentin tried not to stare at her hair falling over her breasts.  His jeans were beginning to feel uncomfortably tight.</div> <div> "What?" he asked, to try and distract himself.</div> <div> "She sounded-oh, I don't know.  Odd.  Like she'd been crying."</div> <div> "Think she's unhappy?  Old what's-his-name seems to spend a lot of time playing golf, doesn't he?"</div> <div> "Did you think so, too?  He wasn't there when we went to visit that time."  Maggie shook her hair out, satisfied it was dry.  She began to dress casually, jeans and a sweater.  "Well, Jenny did say that he spent a lot of time at the country club, didn't she?"  She looked into the mirror, looking a little troubled.  "I suppose that's normal?"</div> <div> "I wouldn't think so," Quentin answered, but he felt troubled too.  Angelique had seemed to tire of him rather quickly.  She made it absolutely clear that there was no way she was going to have any more children-it was too painful and inconvenient.  Besides, since Quentin viewed Daniel as his real son there was no need to produce a "real" heir or a spare.  He remembered Uncle Frank and Aunt Nancy fighting loudly and quite a lot-yet, they still kissed and hugged.  What makes some couples' love different from others? He wondered.  It wasn't just passion-he and Angelique had fiery passion when they did get together.  "Do you think that's going to happen to us?"</div> <div> "I don't know," she answered, sounding unsure and anxious.  "I don't want it to."</div> <div> "Neither do I.  Maybe it's just a matter of knowing that and working at it."</div> <div> Now Maggie smiled at him in the mirror as she began applying her makeup.  Quentin was sure he didn't want this marriage to fail.  He wanted to regain the feeling of love and family he'd had as a child, hoping that Maggie held the key to that happiness.  He wanted more children and was glad that Maggie felt the same way.  She turned to face him, smiling, and he got up and took her into his arms.  "Hey, beautiful," he said.  "I'd kiss you but I don't want to mess up that lipstick you just carefully put on."</div> <div> "I can put it back on," she said, laughing.  "Kiss away."  So he did.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Maggie tugged on his arm in surprise as the train pulled into the Bay Shore Station.  "That's Jenny with Adam!" she exclaimed.  He looked out the window and saw that, sure enough, Jennifer Cole was standing on the platform.  </B></div> <div> She looked tiny next to Adam.</div> <div> "Well, I'll be damned," he exclaimed, surprised.</div> <div> "Where's Dan?" Maggie asked.  "Where's Jimmy?"</div> <div> He almost responded: how the hell should I know?  He saw the look on her face, though, and stopped himself.  That was something he'd say to one of the Collinses, not to her, he chided himself.  He could see that she was worried and confused.  "Maybe he's at the country club," he ventured, and realized that was the wrong thing to say.  The frown was back on Maggie's face. "Don't worry," he whispered to her as the train slowed to a stop.   They got up to get off.  "I'm sure there's some explanation for it."  He was curious, though--they weren't planning to see Jennifer until the next day. </div> <div> Maggie's frown was gone before she got off the train.  She'd replaced it with a delighted expression and a big smile, running to meet her sister like a small child would.  "Jenny!  Oh, how have you been?"  As they exchanged kisses, Maggie asked:  "Where's Jimmy?"</div> <div> "Oh, my neighbor said she'd watch him for me so I could come and meet you.  It's so good to see you, Maggie!" Jennifer was laughing, but her eyes were filled with tears.  Quentin kissed her lightly on the cheek.  He'd always been fond of her.  He supposed she was all emotional over seeing her baby sister again, but he really hadn't believed they were all that close.  He could remember the things Jennifer had said about Maggie when he was going around with her in junior high school.  He remembered she didn't object when the other kids made fun of Maggie.  He'd never understood it-this lack of loyalty between siblings.</div> <div> Adam was shifting his feet nearby, looking ready to burst.  Quentin left the sisters talking and moved toward him, holding out his hand.  Instead, Adam grabbed him in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground.  "Quentin!  I am so glad to see you!" he exclaimed exuberantly.  He set his friend down again and began shaking his hand vigorously.</div> <div> Like a puppy or a little kid, Quentin thought, not unkindly.  "Hey, how are you, Adam?"</div> <div> "I am so happy!" Adam exclaimed.  Now Maggie and Jennifer turned toward them. Quentin caught the troubled glance Adam gave Jennifer and wondered just what the hell was going on here.  Maggie hadn't noticed and moved to hug Adam, who handled her like a delicate piece of china.  "I'll carry your bags," he offered.  "I brought Colonel Stuart's car.  Where do you want to go </div> <div> first? The hotel?"</div> <div> "Sure," Quentin answered.  "I'll give you a hand."  He watched Adam give a set of car keys to Jennifer.</div> <div> "Come on, Maggie, we'll let the guys do all the work," Jennifer was saying, leading Maggie away.  "Tell me about the Riviera!"</div> <div> Quentin waited until they had walked on a few feet.  Adam had most of the bags under his arms, leaving just one for his friend to carry.  Adam had changed, too, Quentin thought, even if he still had all the excitement of a kid.  He</div> <div> seemed mature or older in some way.  Quentin picked up the bag.  "Adam?  What the hell is up with you and Jennifer?"</div> <div> Adam started a little.  His eyes darted around and then finally met Quentin's.  "I need help, Quentin.  That is one of the reasons I am so glad to see </div> <div> you."</div> <div> Quentin started to laugh.  "So are you over Roxanne already, then?"</div> <div> Adam looked suddenly angry.  "NO!" he exclaimed sharply.  "That is one of the things I need to talk to you about--Tony Peterson.  But there's something else, too--"</div> <div> "Yes--Jennifer, right?"</div> <div> "Yes, Jennifer."</div> <div> "So you two are--" Quentin made a crude, thrusting motion with his free hand.</div> <div> Adam stopped, shocked.  "It's not funny, Quentin, I really need your help!"</div> <div> "I'm sorry."  Quentin realized he'd been treating Adam as a peer-and maybe he wasn't really ready for that kind of joking yet.  But why on earth had he gotten mixed up with Jennifer, of all people? It really wasn't funny--definitely not something to joke about at all.  He wondered if Jenny would tell Maggie--he hoped so.  He didn't want to.</div> <div> "It's not what you are thinking," Adam continued, sounding irritable about being misunderstood.  "She is very unhappy.  I am concerned she will hurt</div> <div> herself."</div> <div> "Jenny?"  Quentin's voice shot up.  He was shocked. Jenny? He remembered her as a brash, overly friendly girl in junior high.  She was the first girl he'd ever kissed--she'd taught him how to do it.  She was the first girl who'd ever let him touch her breasts, and what an education that had been.  They might</div> <div> have gotten further along if he hadn't been sent to Stonybrook.  She had to have seduced Adam, no question there.  "Why do you think so?"</div> <div> "She's lonely," Adam confided.  "Her husband leaves her too much.  She drinks whiskey--Seagram's.  She mixes it in her Coke or Pepsi."</div> <div> That wasn't surprising.  Quentin had a feeling Jennifer was just bored and had hooked the naïve Adam to scratch her itch.  She was that kind of girl.  He half listened, trying to figure out how Gabriel might have advised him in a similar situation.  He reflected that a conniver had hooked Gabe himself--one even more clever and destructive than Jennifer could ever dream of being. Something Adam said suddenly came through--"sleeping pills". "What about sleeping pills?" he asked.</div> <div> "Aren't you listening, Quentin?" Adam complained petulantly.</div> <div> He didn't want to admit he hadn't been--he didn't want to hurt Adam's feelings. "Tell me again--I'm not sure I heard you right."</div> <div> "She is taking sleeping pills to help her sleep--with the whiskey and coke."</div> <div> "Jenny?"  Quentin couldn't believe his ears.  "One time or all the time?"</div> <div> "She said one time.  She was going to take all of them last night.  That is why I went to her again--to stop her.  I don't love her.  She is married, and I love Roxanne.  But I don't want her to die."</div> <div> Quentin remembered then that Maggie mentioned Jenny had been crying.  </div> <div> This was serious.  "No," he said slowly, thinking.  "I'm glad you told me, Adam." </div> <div> Now what?  He wondered.  If it wasn't drinking--like his ma and Uncle Frank--then it was drugs, like Tom and those mellow yellow pills he used to take before he was killed in the accident.  And if it wasn't drinking or drugs, now it was both.  While he was wondering how he was going to bring it up to Maggie--he really doubted Jenny would tell her the truth--he realized that Adam was talking again.</div> <div> He looked at Adam closely.  He'd had another surgery-the scars were so faint they were just about undetectable. He was a good looking man, and it was no surprise Jennifer had come on to him. He was saying something about Hoffman chasing him away from Collinsport.  Hoffman again, he thought, fuming.  "When can we talk to Tony Peterson?"  Adam asked.</div> <div> "Tony?"  Quentin repeated.  He felt his irritation increasing.  "Adam, you just laid an awful lot of shit on me, and I've only just got off the train."</div> <div> "I'm sorry," Adam apologized.  They were nearing the car.  "I had to talk fast, you understand?  We can't speak of it anymore now."</div> <div> Yes, Adam was different all right.  He was more perceptive-much more "with it" as the saying went.  "You're right," Quentin agreed.  "Well, if nothing else, it'll give me time to think some."</div> <div> Jennifer had opened the trunk to the Ford Galaxy, and Adam began to put the luggage in.  He took Quentin's bag.  "Which hotel, Quentin?"</div> <div> "Three Village Inn," Quentin replied.  "We've rented a cottage."</div> <div> "Charming," Jennifer said, with a wry smile.  "What a coincidence."</div> <div> "Coincidence?" Maggie repeated.</div> <div> "We were just out that way not too long ago, weren't we, Adam?"</div> <div> Adam closed the trunk and looked at Jennifer, confused.  He saw Maggie and Quentin exchanging glances.  Maggie looked very concerned, so Adam asked:  "We were?  What are you talking about?"</div> <div> "It's in Stony Brook," Jennifer replied, getting into the front seat.</div> <div> Again Quentin and Maggie exchanged glances.  Maggie started to speak, but Quentin moved to put his arm around her to stop her.  He didn't want her to find out like this.  He turned toward Adam, who explained:  "Jennifer showed me your school, Quentin!"</div> <div> "My school!" Quentin exclaimed, relieved and curious.  "What were you out there for?"  He patted Maggie's shoulder reassuringly as if to say, you see? Nothing to worry about.  </div> <div> Adam opened the back passenger door for Maggie.  She got in, followed by Quentin.  Before Adam closed the door, Quentin asked:  "How the hell did you find the school?"</div> <div> "It's a long story," Adam replied.  "We can talk on the way.  Maybe you would like to see it.  I even met one of your teachers."  He shut the door and walked around to the driver's door.</div> <div> Quentin looked at Maggie.  "I will be damned!" he exclaimed.  He wasn't sure how he felt about Adam poking around there.  He hadn't thought about school in--well, not in years.  He was happy there.  For all of his high school years, that school had been his escape.  That was where he'd met Cyrus and many of his other good friends.  His brother had gone to a community college not so far away and would come visit him.  He looked out the window, feeling as </div> <div> if he was travelling back in time.  Gabriel hadn't seemed so real in a long time; reminiscing about him this morning was bringing back all the memories, and Quentin realized how much he still missed his brother.</div> <div> "What's wrong?" Maggie asked, leaning against him.</div> <div> "I don't know," he lied, brooding.  The wound that was Gabriel was still unhealed and sensitive.  He didn't want to talk about him right now--especially not when there was this other problem with Jennifer.  "What made you go out there?" he asked Adam.</div> <div>      "Roxanne's brother, Randy, came back," Adam began.</div> <div>      "Oh!" Maggie exclaimed.  "From Vietnam!"</div> <div>      "Yes, he got away and wandered into the jungle.  He told me how the village people helped him find soldiers.  They took him to a hospital and he came back here.  But," Adam paused significantly before he went on, "there was no place for him to go because Roxanne is missing."  </div> <div> Jennifer looked over at Adam quickly and then away.  "So after I left Collinsport, I spoke to the Stuarts and they said Randy could stay with me."</div> <div>      "That was kind of them," said Quentin.  He felt a knot in his stomach.  So--Roxanne's brother had come back!  "So how is he?  What's he got to do with Stony Brook?"</div> <div>      "I think he is having trouble forgetting," Adam said.  "He dreams.  He cries out in another language almost every night.  He takes drugs to help him forget."</div> <div>      "He does?  Poor thing," Jennifer put in sympathetically.</div> <div>      "Yes," Adam agreed.  Looking in the rearview mirror, he noted the odd expression on Quentin's face and wondered about it.  "We have been talking, and I found out from him that he and his sister Roxanne went to school in Setauket."  Quentin was paying attention again. Obviously, he recognized the town's name.  "Yes, and you know who was their neighbor?  Claude North.  He went to the same school as you and Dr. Cyrus, Quentin."</div> <div>      Maggie looked at Quentin with surprise.  His brows had rushed together.  Claude North!  He tried to remember who that was.  He realized everyone was looking at him. He shook his head.  "I don't remember him," he said.  He could see Adam watching him in the mirror and that he was obviously disappointed.  "You know what, though?  Why don't we go to the library at the school?  Look at the year books?" he suggested.  He looked at Maggie.  "Do you mind?"</div> <div>      "No, not at all!" Maggie exclaimed.  "I'd love to see where you went to school, darling!"</div> <div>      "It's been a long time."  Quentin looked out the window again.  What a weird coincidence it all was!  They arrived at the Three Village Inn, and Quentin checked himself and Maggie in.  They were staying at one of the cottages that overlooked the Stony Brook bay.  He and Adam carried the suitcases in.  It was a cozy little cottage, and he thought briefly that he would enjoy spending a couple of nights here alone with Maggie...</div> <div>      The school wasn't far from the Inn, and so they went there next.  Quentin remembered the teacher Adam met and hoped to see him again.  As they began to walk around the campus, many good memories came back and Quentin found himself feeling happy and glad to be back.  Maybe it was a good thing after all, he thought, as they crossed the playing field where he fondly remembered playing pick-up games of touch football or baseball.  He bet the kids still skated on the pond.  He found himself talking a lot more than he usually did, describing the screwball kid messes he and his friends had gotten into.  He had them all laughing and realized that it had been a long time since he'd been able to do that.     </div> <div>      They stopped at the administration office first.  When the secretary found out that Quentin had graduated from the school, she smiled.  "I was going to offer you a tour," she said.  "Do you remember your way around?"</div> <div>      "I sure do."</div> <div>      "Classes are in session," she began.</div> <div>      "Well, it's more the library I wanted to see anyway," he told her, smiling pleasantly.  He threw some names at her, asking if these people were still teaching.  About half were.  "Maybe I could come back later," he said, almost to himself.</div> <div>      "Oh, I am sure they would be most pleased if you did, Mr. Collins!" the secretary assured him.</div> <div>      They went to the library and Quentin got down the yearbook from his senior year.  He had one like it at Collinwood, collecting dust.  "I'm assuming Claude was a year or two behind Cyrus and me," he said, beginning to look through the freshman section, pausing when he'd find a familiar face.  He felt almost childishly pleased when Maggie asked him to point out his friends.  She asked their names, what happened to them-she was genuinely interested and enjoying herself.  She wanted to see his senior picture, and so he flipped ahead obligingly.  </div> <div> "Gee, what a lady killer," Jennifer remarked, with what seemed like regret in her voice.  Quentin felt flattered.</div> <div> "He still is, but he's mine now," Maggie laughed, putting her hand on his possessively.  He liked it.</div> <div> Eventually, Quentin found North's picture among the juniors and studied it closely. "Yes, that is him!"  Adam exclaimed, as he, Maggie, and Jennifer crowded around to peek.  "Younger, yes, but the same!"</div> <div>       Quentin still couldn't remember this particular boy, yet there was something familiar about him...He remembered something suddenly, thunderstruck.  "My God, is that Marie's brother?"</div> <div>      "Who is Marie?" Maggie asked, curiously.</div> <div>      The first girl I laid, Quentin thought, feeling a prickling sensation.  "She was in my class," he answered evasively.</div> <div>      Jennifer seemed to know better and winked.  "A close friend, eh?"</div> <div>      Quentin glared at her resentfully.  "A classmate, Jennifer.  By the way, just where is good old Dan?"</div> <div>      "Don't worry about it," Jennifer muttered, turning away.  "It's stuffy in here.  I want to to go out for a minute."</div> <div>      "Good idea," Quentin agreed.  </div> <div>      "I'll go with you," Maggie offered, and the sisters moved off.</div> <div>      "You didn't like what Jennifer said," Adam observed.</div> <div>      "No, I didn't. Marie was my old girlfriend, but I didn't want to--you know, just announce it like that," Quentin explained.  </div> <div>      "But she is an old girlfriend," Adam pointed out.</div> <div>      "I know, but I had sex with her."  Quentin saw Adam look a little puzzled and realized that Adam was probably wondering what difference it made.  It was so many years ago.  What difference did it make?  He wondered, too.  When had he become so closed up and secretive, anyway? He'd found Marie North's picture.  "Here she is."</div> <div>      "Tony Peterson says she hasn't heard from her brother," Adam said morosely.  "He hasn't been able to find the parents."</div> <div>      "Did he say where she lives now?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "He hasn't told me very much of anything," Adam complained.</div> <div>      "I'll talk to him," Quentin said.  "Did you see where they lived?"</div> <div>      "No, I have been trying to get Randy to show me the house where he and Roxanne lived."</div> <div>      "Oh, I bet I can talk him into it," Quentin assured him.  "Let's go back to your cottage and talk to him.  I can call Tony, too."</div> <div>      Adam tried hard to control his excitement.  "I know you are on vacation."</div> <div>      "Don't worry about it, Adam!"  They went outside and found Maggie and Jennifer engrossed in conversation.  "We're going to go talk to Randy," Quentin said casually.  "Should we drop you off, Jenny?"</div> <div>      "Not unless it would be too much trouble to bring me home later," Jennifer said, somewhat pathetically.  "Dan won't be home until late. And my neighbor doesn't mind keeping Jimmy. I watch her kids all the time."</div> <div>      Quentin remembered then what Adam had said, had a change of heart and offered, "You want to come out to dinner with us, then?"</div> <div>      "Sure!" Jennifer's eyes lit up. "As long as we're headed out there, maybe we could go to Alletto's!"  She smiled happily and turned back toward the car.</div> <div>      "Thank you, darling," Maggie said softly, taking Quentin's hand.  Surprised, he looked at her.  She moved swiftly, kissing him on the lips.  She squeezed his hand again and then joined her sister.  The two of them walked closely together, their heads bent together.  Quentin wondered how much Jennifer was confiding to Maggie--maybe a little more than he'd first guessed.</div> <bR> <div> The Stuarts were out when Adam pulled the big Galaxy into the driveway. There was a Harley parked in front of the cottage, and Adam sighed with relief.   "Nice bike," Quentin commented.  He'd always wanted a motorcycle but never bought one.  </div> <div>      "That is the bike Randy is using now.  He is rebuilding it.  Then it will be his," Adam explained.  "He will probably have to move soon."</div> <div>      "Why?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "Well, I think Colonel Stuart is becoming angry with him because he is wearing long hair.  He has an upside down flag on his coat.  That makes the colonel angry.  I don't think he knows about the drugs."</div> <div>      Quentin was curious to meet Randy. He sounded like he'd turned into one </div> <div> of those anti-war hippies.  Maybe being a prisoner of war had messed up his mind, he thought.  He remembered how Gabriel had looked in his uniform.  As they entered the cottage, he detected an acrid smell.  That must be marijuana, he thought.  The TV was on, and Randy was sprawled out on the couch.  He held a joint in his hand.  He looked over at them indifferently and then back at the TV.  Some soldier, Quentin thought bitterly.</div> <div>      "Randy, these are my friends.  Quentin and his wife, Maggie.  This is Maggie's sister Jennifer," Adam said politely.</div> <div>      Randy looked at them briefly. "'Lo," he said, shortly, turning back to the television.</div> <div>      Adam looked embarrassed.  "Roxanne's brother, Randy Drew."</div> <div>      "Nice to meet you, hero."  Quentin's voice was laden with sarcastic irony.  Instantly, Randy uncoiled himself and sprang to his feet, moving as swiftly as a cat.  He grabbed Quentin and pushed him up against the wall.</div> <div>      "Randy, no!" Adam exclaimed, as both Jennifer and Maggie gasped in surprise.</div> <div>      "What's your problem, man?" Randy challenged Quentin, his eyes reddened by the effects of the pot.  "You think I should look like John Wayne?  Mr. fucking gung-ho Green Beret Marine?"</div> <div>      Quentin was as surprised as everyone else was by Randy's aggression.  He'd expected Randy to be wimpy, but he was anything but that.  "My brother was a Green Beret.  Get your fucking hands off me."</div> <div>      "Yeah?  And I'll bet he's a nice straight laced hero, too, isn't he?" Randy sneered.</div> <div>      "No, he died at Khe Sangh."  </div> <div>      Abruptly, Randy let go of him and turned away.  Quentin clenched his fists resentfully.   He thought if Gabriel had been caught and imprisoned, escaped, and come back he would've been much different than this guy.  Gabriel wouldn't be lying around smoking dope, wasting his life. Randy seemed to sense Quentin's hostile scrutiny. "Fuck off! You and your dead brother!  Wha'd'ja think?  I killed him?  I didn't, and I didn't kill all the goddam babies either!" he shouted.  He whirled around.  "Adam, wha'd you bring them here for?"</div> <div>      "They wanted to see the house where you grew up," Adam answered, miserably, dismayed by how things had turned out.</div> <div>      "I doubt you'd remember the house number.  How many brain cells have you fried?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      Randy moved toward Quentin again and Adam got between the two men.  "No!" he said sharply.  "This was a mistake--we'll go."</div> <div>      "Let me call Tony first," Quentin objected.  He wasn't going to be some coward and retreat--Gabriel never would've done it.</div> <div>      "Phone's in my room, man!" Randy informed him with a sneer.  "No John Wayne posters up there, buddy!"</div> <div>      Quentin had already been heading for the stairs because he knew where the phone was. At the word "buddy" he froze and stiffened.  He was tempted to go and punch Randy for daring to call him that.  However, he still had enough good sense to realize that Randy had no idea what the name meant to him--it was just one of those generic names guys called each other.</div> <div>       He went up the stairs two at a time, aware that Maggie was following him.  He could hear Adam and Jennifer trying to soothe Randy.  He was furious.  This guy Randy had probably allowed himself to get captured.  There were psychedelic posters and beads in the man's room.  "For Chrissake!" he exclaimed irritably.  "Look what he did to Adam's room!"</div> <div>      "Quentin," Maggie said softly.  "What's wrong?  Why are you so angry?"</div> <div>      He whirled on her.  Because he's alive and my brother isn't, he wanted to tell her.  He found he couldn't speak.  He shook his head.  "The man is a freak, Maggie.  Some hero!" he said contemptuously.</div> <div>      "He's been through a terrible experience," Maggie responded.  "Roxanne told me that he's been missing for--"</div> <div>      "Why are you making excuses for him?" Quentin demanded, feeling jealous, wondering why she didn't agree with him.</div> <div>      "I'm not!" Maggie stopped, seeing his face.  "Quentin, I'm sorry.  I seem to be making you angrier--" She broke off.  "What can I do?"</div> <div>      Hold me, he thought.  "Go back downstairs," he answered abruptly.  Maggie looked hurt and confused.  Feeling remorseful, he added more gently,  "I need to talk to Tony Peterson privately."  Maggie kissed him on the cheek and then left him alone.  I'm sorry, he thought, I'll make it up to you, Maggie. He dialed Tony's number.  Once he got his friend on the phone, he was glad he'd sent Maggie away.  </div> <div>      Tony told Quentin about Adam's visit to Collinsport.  He also told Quentin the same things he'd told Adam with one exception.  "I didn't want to alarm your friend," he explained.</div> <div>      "What is it?"</div> <div>      "Well, I told you that the sister didn't know anything about her brother's whereabouts.  I couldn't locate the Norths--not at first."</div> <div>      "You've found them since?"</div> <div>      "In a manner of speaking, yes."</div> <div>      "What does that mean?"</div> <div>      Tony sighed.  "This is very strange, Quentin.  There was a fire in a cemetery not far from Rockport about two weeks before Roxanne Drew disappeared.  It was a suspicious fire--the police thought it was part of some kind of satanic ritual.  There were remains, but they couldn't be identified.  The case is still open."</div> <div>      Quentin grimaced with disgust.  "So?"</div> <div>      "So after the sister reported her parents were missing, I contacted the police down in Setauket and got their dental charts.  I gave them to the Rockport sheriff's office.  Quentin, both the parents died in that fire."</div> <div>      "Ugh!"  Quentin exclaimed, revolted.  "Do you think this Claude North had anything to do with it?"</div> <div>      "It's very weird.  He disappeared without a trace.  No one knows much about him--and those that do are afraid to talk.  If this man really did abduct Roxanne Drew, we may not get her back alive.  Look, you're not going to tell him, are you?  I think it would not be in his best interest to come charging back up here."</div> <div>      "No, I won't say anything," Quentin promised.  </div> <div>      "I do have one lead I want to check out," Peterson added.</div> <div>      "Yes?"</div> <div>      Peterson seemed hesitant to confide this piece of information.  He seemed to be choosing his words with great care.  "Claude North may have been spotted with someone in Collinsport.  I'm going to check that out."</div> <div>      "Who?" Quentin demanded.</div> <div>      "I'll let you know if I find out it's true," Peterson said evasively.  Abruptly, he said he had another appointment to keep and had to hang up.  Frustrated, Quentin realized he would have to wait to learn anything more.  </div> <div>      He went downstairs and went straight to Maggie, putting his arms around her.  As he pulled her close, he whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry, Maggie, I'm sorry I was so angry.  I'll make it up to you later, I promise."</div> <div>      "I'm going to hold you to that, you know," Maggie answered, sounding as if she was trying to giggle, but he could hear the tears in her throat.</div> <div>      He realized that Adam was watching them and half turned.  "So, Adam, are you ready for dinner?  We can talk--I'll tell you about what Tony told me, all right?"</div> <div>      "Yes, Quentin, that would be fine."</div> <div>      Quentin realized they were alone in the room a moment before he heard the motorcycle start.  "Where's Jenny?" he asked Maggie, puzzled.</div> <div>      Maggie looked as if she was struggling to keep her composure.  "Randy was kind enough to offer to take her home."</div> <div>      Jenny?  And that worthless piece of shit?  Quentin didn't voice his thoughts for Maggie's sake.  It was totally unbelievable!  He looked at Adam, who seemed distressed, too.  "Geez!" he finally exclaimed.</div> <div>      "She did tell us how to find Alletto's," Adam said finally.  "She said we should order the lobster."</div> <bR> <div>      It was just after dark when Adam drove Quentin and Maggie back to the Three Village Inn.  Adam seemed satisfied that Quentin was going to get Tony moving on the investigation, and he was pleased that Tony had a new lead.  Quentin was sure that Adam would be patient and not try to interfere in Tony's investigation.  He kept his promise to Tony and didn't tell Adam about Claude's parents.  I'm really good at keeping secrets, he thought.  There had been so many secrets he'd kept over the years, whether he'd wanted to or not.  </div> <div>      "Let's go for a walk on the beach first, Maggie," he urged, feeling closed in.  Maggie was glad to come for a walk with him.  They strolled down toward the Stony Brook Bay.  There were enough lights from the inn that they could see their way.  Even when they walked into the complete darkness, their eyes had become accustomed to the lack of light and they had no trouble reaching the beach.</div> <div>      "Did you come here when you were in school, Quentin?" Maggie asked. </div> <div>      He draped his arm around her shoulder.  "A couple of times.  Used to sail here--and over in Port Jefferson, too."</div> <div>      "Do you remember how?"</div> <div>      "Sure."  He just hadn't been sailing in a long time.  He hadn't been since Gabriel left for Vietnam.  Quentin was a senior--a lot of memories with that book from Stony Brook, he reflected.  Gabriel was thrilled to be accepted into the Marines--and the Green Beret, too--especially at his age.  He and Quentin went for a sail before he had to leave to go for training.  It all sounded so glorious.  He was proud of his brother.</div> <div>      "I wish I could go, too," Quentin said, handling the sails expertly and taking them out onto the bay.</div> <div>      "Nah, Buddy, the military is not for you," Gabe objected.</div> <div>      "Maybe the business is not for me, either!"  Quentin realized he sounded a little whiny and felt ashamed of himself.  It wasn't fair, though--everyone could pick and choose what they wanted to do except him.  He was going to run the cannery and the shipyard.  Big deal-it wasn't like being a Marine or even a doctor.</div> <div>      "You've got more brains than that whole damn family put together," Gabe </div> <div> said sternly.  "What do you want to be, Buddy?  A painter?"  He laughed. Then he turned serious.  "Look, you hold your head up.  You're better than all of them.  You take that business and you do something with it.  Then you do any damn thing you want.  You take a trip around the world--send Ma and Aunt Nancy to Ireland.  Hell--go with them if you want to!  Marry yourself a pretty Irish colleen."  He looked away with a strange, wistful expression on his face.</div> <div>      Quentin nodded.  Sure.  Once he had control of the business, he could do as he pleased.  "Did you tell Angelique you're going?"</div> <div>      Gabe frowned a little.  "She knows.  Listen, Buddy, when you go back to Collinsport for the summer would you kind of keep an eye on her for me?"</div> <div>      Quentin nodded, feeling a little nervous.  Angelique was beautiful, and she made him nervous.  Sometimes she looked at him as if she was undressing him in her mind and he would become hard.  It was embarrassing because how could she think that way about him?  She was older and so much more sophisticated.  She was Gabriel's girl and had been for a year.</div> <div>      "Penny for your thoughts, Quentin," Maggie said softly.</div> <div>      "Gabriel," Quentin said, almost without thinking.  He could have kicked himself.  </div> <div>      "You're missing him."  It was a statement.  He felt her arm tighten a little about his waist.</div> <div>      "It was an accident that he died--just a stupid accident."</div> <div>      "What happened?  You've never told me."</div> <div>      "The advisors were in Khe Sangh. The real fighting between the Vietcong and our side hadn't really started yet.  They were helping the South Vietnamese build this airstrip outside of Khe Sangh.  They were unloading supplies from a truck, and some of the guys were drunk and fooling around..." Quentin's voice trailed off a little.  He was at school, in his dorm room, when his mother's call came.  She was drunk, too, telling him to come home--his brother was dead.  He'd hung up the phone and put his fist through the wall before Cyrus could stop him.</div> <div>      He realized that Maggie hadn't said anything and was waiting for him to go on.  He was grateful for that.  She wasn't pushy.  "What are you thinking about, Quentin?" Angelique used to ask him all the time.  "What secrets are you keeping from me?"  Finally, he found the words to tell Maggie what one of Gabe's buddies had told him.  "The kid behind the wheel thought everything was off the truck and everyone was clear.  He put the truck into reverse and gunned it, trying to be some kind of hotdog.  But there was still a Vietnamese kid there, with the last box.  So Gabriel threw himself at this kid, like a body tackle.  I guess he thought he'd get them both clear of the wheels, but he didn't."</div> <div>      "Quentin, I'm so sorry," Maggie whispered.</div> <div>      "It was just so stupid and useless," Quentin said thickly.  "Just a dumb accident--it was a waste."  Why did you go there, Gabriel, just to die like that? Why did you leave me like that?  "Let's go back now, huh?"  They turned and walked back toward the cottage.  He didn't want to think about it anymore.</div> <bR> <div>      In the early morning hours, he woke up suddenly and knew he wouldn't get back to sleep again.  He looked at Maggie, curled up next to him, her mouth curved up in a gentle smile.  She was so passionate--it was hard to believe that looking at her now, as peaceful as a sleeping baby.  He had the scratches on his shoulder to prove it, though.  Gently, he slipped out of the bed.  He didn't want to disturb her yet.  It was too early for breakfast at the inn.  He dressed quietly in the darkened room, preparing to go down to the beach again for an early morning walk.</div> <div>      It helped him think.  He had a lot to think about and so he walked quickly, without really looking where he was going.  They were going to visit Jenny today, and he wondered if they would find Randy Drew hanging around too.  There was the ominous information Tony had shared with him. There was no way he could tell Adam about it.  Hopefully Tony would know something by the time he got to Aunt Nancy's--he'd call Tony again from there.</div> <div>      Thinking about his Aunt Nancy reminded him of Hoffman--he was going to have to deal with her.  She was Angelique's friend, anyway--he didn't think anyone in the family would be sorry to see her go.  There was Daniel--he would have to work hard to make sure the boy didn't feel neglected.  He'd never accept Maggie if he felt pushed aside.  It was important that Daniel accept Maggie if they were going to be a family!  Quentin kicked at the sand, thinking about business decisions he'd have to make once they got back to Collinsport.  </div> <div>      "You've done what you need to do with that business, Quentin.  Do what </div> <div> you want.  What do you want to do?  You want to move to Boston?  Be near Aunt Nancy?  Why the hell not?  You can run the cannery from there, Buddy!"  Surprised, Quentin looked around.  He didn't see anyone.  "Come on back to the cottage, Quentin--your wife is waking up!"</div> <div>      "Gabriel?" Quentin whispered, wondering if he was losing his mind or imagining things.</div> <div>      "No, Buddy, you're not crazy.  Up here."</div> <div>      Quentin looked up toward the cottage.  There was a solitary figure up there.  "Gabriel!" he called.</div> <div>      "You need to do what you want to do now.  It's time for you to be happy, Buddy.  While you're making all your plans, think about what you really want.  This is your chance-take it!"</div> <div>      Quentin was moving quickly, climbing the path to the ridge where he'd seen the figure.  There was no one there now.  It was just a hallucination, he scoffed to himself, disappointed.  It's just because I was thinking about him and missing him, that's all.  He turned back and looked out over the bay, thinking.  Do I have to go back?  None of them would care if I didn't.  I bet I could run that business from Boston--why not?  I can depend on Joe Haskell to keep the plant going--that wouldn't be a problem.  </div> <div>      As for big decisions and board meetings--well, that was what planes were for.  He could easily fly to Maine or he could have Chris fly down to Boston.  He thought about a house near Aunt Nancy's--he, Maggie, Daniel, and any children they had could live there.  Why the hell not?  He heard the door open behind him and turned to see his wife framed in the doorway.</div> <div>      "Quentin, what a beautiful sunrise!" she called.  He turned and looked back out over the bay, at the sun rising and throwing brilliant colors across the sky.  He took a deep breath and then turned back toward Maggie, moving toward her swiftly.  He caught her in his arms, lifted her up and spun her around.  "Oh, Quentin!" she gasped, laughing.</div> <div>      "What do you think, Maggie?  We can do whatever the hell we want!" He exclaimed exuberantly.  He began to laugh wildly.  Maggie, who was unaware of what had just happened and was only cognizant of the fact that he seemed truly happy again this morning, joined him in laughter. They had no doubt at that moment that they would have a good, strong marriage.     </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biding Time in Purgatory"><U>Biding Time in Purgatory</U></A>    <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U>Family Secrets</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U>Adam in Parallel Time</U></A>     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>